Nutcracker Cookies

December 22, 2011Angela (Oh She Glows)

by Angela (Oh She Glows) on December 22, 2011

Some of you might remember that my Grandpa was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma right around this time last year. He had a rocky start to 2011, but his strength carried him through some very tough times and he enjoyed a happy and stable summer and fall season.

He has unfortunately encountered another set back with his health over the past week. He battled a blood infection which landed him back in the hospital. He overcame it with antibiotics, only to find himself with yet another mysterious blood infection, fighting for his life, as of yesterday. It’s been a shock to our family as the doctor said he was in remission just before this all happened.

All this has made me realize that every day we wake up in good health is a day to celebrate. Forget about being down on yourself for the number on the scale, the guilt over yesterday’s indulgences, and whether you think you look “perfect” in your holiday dress.

If you wake up healthy, it’s already a great day.

and my Grandpa would argue, even if you wake up unhealthy it can still be a great day.

This past summer, Grandpa was the best I had seen him since his diagnosis last December. He was vibrant, active, and loving life. Despite his cancer, he carried on life as usual working up at the cottage, visiting with family, and doing renos all summer long.

He’s taught me so much in my life, most importantly, with the right attitude and faith, anything is possible. He is a true role model in my life.

Did I mention he already beat cancer once in his life? He’s one tough cookie!

I actually made these cookies before I found out the news, but in a way, they oddly remind me of my Grandpa. They are both tough cookies.

And of course, I mean that in the best way possible. :)

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Nutcracker Cookies

I wanted to come up with my own vegan Christmas cookie this year. After a lot of brainstorming, I envisioned a hearty, nutty cookie with a crisp, toffee-like exterior and a chewy, doughy middle. After several trials, that’s just what they are. Don’t let their homely appearance fool you either, these are one of our favourite cookies to come out of the oven. Toasting the nuts beforehand results in an incredibly flavourful cookie, so don’t skip it. The most important tip I can give you is not to undercook them. You’ll want a golden brown bottom, almost toffee-like in appearance, for the middle to be cooked enough. You’ll see what I mean below.

1.Preheat oven to 325F. Chop nuts and toast in the oven for 12 minutes, watching closely after 10.

2. Meanwhile, melt the Earth Balance in a bowl in microwave. Now whisk in the brown sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth.

3. Whisk in the salt, cinnamon, and baking powder. Chop the pitted dates.

4. Remove nuts from oven and stir into the dough mixture. Stir in the chopped dates.

5. Stir in the flour and then the ground flax. The mixture will be very sticky, but it shouldn’t be so sticky that you can’t handle it. If it is too sticky (and this might be the case if using a different flour), add a tablespoon of flour at a time, but I wouldn’t add more than a couple.

6. Shape into balls (just smaller then golf balls), with lightly wet fingers if necessary. Compact dough together tightly. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment. No need to space them out as they don’t spread.

7. Bake for 18 mins at 325F, checking the bottoms after 15-16 mins. To get mine cooked in the middle, I had to slightly brown the bottoms (see below). Cool for 5 mins on the sheet and then transfer to cooling rack. The middle will firm up a bit more as they cool.

*Notes: Coconut oil works as a sub for EB, but the flavour won’t be as buttery. I made a trial with brown rice flour (using 1/2 cup + 2 tbsp flour) and it held together fine, but it was gritty. For a gluten-free version, I suggest using certified GF oat flour. Other flours probably work too!

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The cookies come together very easy! Just toast the nuts, mix the batter, chop the dates, add flour and flax, and mix it all together.

Your dough should look like this…sticky!

The dough is really sticky to handle, so if you need to lightly dab your fingers in a bowl of water, feel free. When shaping the cookies, make them just smaller than golf balls and really squeeze the dough to compact it together.

I had to make quite a few trials of these cookies to figure out what the perfect temperature and baking time was. In my oven, 325F and 18 mins of baking time resulted in the perfect cookie. Depending on your baking sheet, oven, and altitude, this time may vary. To get the cookies cooked in the middle, I had to cook them until they were golden brown on the bottom.

This golden bottom, resulted in the perfect middle:

Perfectly cooked middle (after cooling):

If you don’t bake them long enough, you will have an undercooked middle, as shown below:

You don’t want that!

After cooling, they have this amazing toffee-like, chewy, and dough interior with a crispy and crunchy shell! We’re pretty much obsessed with them. For my first original Christmas cookie, I was really pleased with the outcome. Eric insisted I keep all the “failed” trials for him to eat! I’m also freezing a bunch and will give them to family members on the weekend.

Make these cookies for someone you love, maybe even crazy Uncle Ted.

Most of all, never forget your sense of humor during the holiday season.

My Grandpa still has his.

and I’m sure he would agree with me that Nutcrackers are really creepy.

So sorry to hear about your grandpa’s setback. It sounds like he is a really strong and wonderful man and I’ll be thinking of him and your family and sending lots of positive thoughts & vibes your way!

Your grandpa is an inspiration.
It’s so true, too. If you wake up alive and well, or otherwise regardless, it’s a good day.
And there is more important things than looking *perfect* in your holiday dress.

My boyfriend’s mom must have 100 nutcrackers around the house at Christmas. She lines them up along ledges on the stairs, so when you come in the front door they stare down at you. I hate them! Creepy!

So sorry to hear about your grandpa Angela. I hope you’ll hear some good news soon. He sounds like a very positive person and must be so proud of you!

Can we talk more about those truffles? I made them the other night and my husband loved them! They were SO good! We had two each. Which leaves 12 to take to my in-laws .. . . if they last that long! :)

Angela, I’m so sorry to hear about your grandpa! I will be thinking about you and him in the coming days. Please keep us posted. Cancer is a complete bit*h. My mom is battling stage IV breast cancer right now. But she is putting up an awesome fight and your grandpa will, too!

Peace and healing energy to your wonderful grandpa. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Yes, waking up each day to a healthy self is a gift all on its own. To life, health, and delicious eats! Looking forward to making these cookies this weekend, since I made the berry bliss oat bars and pumpkin spiced donuts this past Sunday; absolutely delicious treats. Thanks, Angela!

Angela, your grandpa is SO CUTE! I am a nursing student, and I love all these little old men I get as patients all the time. They are adorable, tell the best stories, and often have such a positive outlook, it’s just inspiring. I truly hope he feels better and things can be resolved, especially with the holidays approaching. Just keep the faith! It sounds like with you he has a wonderful support system in place.
The cookies look awesome, but I am with Liz… I am so excited to make your truffles. I am actually planning on giving them away as a gift, too. Yay!

First, so sorry to hear about your grandpa and the setback and challenges he is going through. I will keep him and your whole family in my thoughts and prayers. This is an especially hard time of year to have anyone going through something so tough.

The cookies…oh, wow! The shot of them before baking…I doubt I would have even bothered with baking them :) Seriously I love dough of all kinds and yes I love the toffee/caramelized sugar vibe but raw dough usually trumps that.

You did an amazing job with them from recipe development to the photos…wonderful work!

I’m so sorry to hear about your grandpa! My FIL had MM. If you need to talk to someone who understands the struggle, feel free to shoot me an email. My FIL had a good amount of success with a stem cell transplant. If they find your grandpa has relapsed, *insist* they run the blood test for refracted MM which is usually how it comes back and is highly treatable when diagnosed early. It could’ve saved my FIL’s life and if one person can benefit from this info, it’s worth sharing.

Hi! My grandpa also had multiple myloma. The thing is they can go into remission but will mostly likely get spots somewhere in their body again. My grandpa’s were in his lower back vertabrae. He was in so much pain and Fought the good fight until he just let himself go home in 2004. I will be trying to make these wonderful cookies this year. Grandpa’s are tough cookies aren’t they! I miss mine and was just wishing last night that I could talk to him. This is what I was looking for! Thanks for your blog and sharing your heart with us. With love, Diane

Oh, Angela, so sorry for your granpa. My prayers will add to yours. I can understand your feelings because last year in the days before Christmas my grandma was in hospital and she was so ill and bad… It’s hard to live such situation while people out there are laughing and having fun. Wishing you, your granpa and your family all the best.

Cookies look yummy. Prayers and healing thoughts to your grandpa. My stepdad had active MM after being in remission for a year. I love the tough cookie comparison – my grandpa was indeed a tough cookie!!

I love the idea of these! I have cookies and fudge in tins right now all ready for homemade gifts to be handed out but the fudge tin is looking sparse. I’m thinking I could add some of these in to bulk it up. Especially because I have all the ingredients :)
And for the record I’m with you, Nutcrackers are seriously creeptastic.

Angela, wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas, and sending prayers and positive vibes that your Grandfather will be feeling better very soon! xo ps. Thanks for your inspiration all year long :)

Thanks for the post and the reminder to appreciate the health that we have. I’ve been actively trying to do this daily, especially during this holiday season when we tend to get caught up in how we look, how much weight we gain, how many cookies we eat, instead of focusing on what really matters – health, love, friends, and family. Happy holidays to you!

So sorry to hear about your Grandfather. He sounds like a wonderful man. I’ll say a prayer for him.
The Nutcracker cookies are a must try! I just saw the Nutcracker ballet this week, so this will be a perfect thing to do on Friday, if we get sent home a few hours earlier. (Fingers crossed!)

Holidays are always a little bit tough when a family member is sick, my grandfather is on oxygen since he smoked most of his life. He also has Alzheimer’s and he’s been slipping a lot this year. Its hard to see him not be able to finish his sentences, and know that he’s a proud WW II vet that only a few years ago used to chop all the firewood for the wood stove and be an expert fisherman and fly tier. It makes me look up to my grandmother so much, she is selfless a bundle of energy that refuses to sit down and always makes ENORMOUS meals for holidays. Her goal in life is to someday have no grass in her lawn, just gardens full of flowers and every kind of vegetable you can think of. I hope I’m like her someday!!

Although my grandfather is sick, being around family you appreciate the health and happiness of the rest of your family (and your own) so much more and I think that is truly the spirit of the holidays!

I am sorry to hear about your grandfather. It is inspirational that he has such a great attitude! On another note, my boyfriend is terrified of nutcrackers. I have been told I am not allowed to bring one in the house lol.

I’ve noticed that some of the most positive people I’ve met in life are the ones who have had some really rough patches in their life but have pushed through them like no other! It’s always so inspiring. Good luck to your grandpa!

Very sorry to hear about your Grandfather. Your family will be in my thoughts!
Your description of the texture of these is so perfect I can just feel them getting stuck in my back teeth. Awesome flavor profile mmm!

Warm wishes and hugs to your Grandpa and your family- he does sound like one tough cookie for sure! We all take our health for granted so often, and it’s important to be thankful for it (and treat our bodies with respect!)

You have a knack for turning every day ingredients into awesomeness. So you mean I’ve had the ingredients for these cookies sitting deconstructed in my shelf for months?? A pity. I must unite them so they can fulfill their greater purpose ;-)

Your blog is such BRILLIANCE. It has been so exciting to click on and see what magic Angela has created. We are making your burritos with squash for the second time. I did them in the wok and my husband (a carnivore) picked out a handful and then filled his bowl. “YUMMY” he exclaimed. Your recipes have inspired a 13 year old
to eat less meat and a 41 year old the confirmation that a life of good eating has helped. My 9 year old daughter has ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia), so I know the journey. Your grandfather is in the picture of health and I am sending prayers for continued healing and peace for you family. Enjoy all the moments you have together this season.

Love nut cookies. Will have to give these a try. Can you tell me the difference between regular dates and Medjool dates? Can they both be used for baking in the same manner? I have wanted to try the Medjool, (for snacking) but didn’t know if I would like them.

I’m so sorry to hear about your grandpa. My friend died last week of stage iv breast cancer. She battled it for 5 years. she was originally told that she was too young to have breast cancer (she was 26 at the time), and a year later was encouraged to get it checked out by another doctor, just to find out it WAS cancer, and it had developed into stage iv (incurable). She was a month shy of her 33rd birthday when she died. Just like you said, it really put a lot of things into perspective for me as well. I’m 45 and after her ordeal I’ve learned that there are more important things than how you look in clothes, what weight you are, etc. What’s important is the way you live your life, be happy, enjoy the little things, who cares if I indulge once in a while, make sure I form really good relationships, treat people so much better than I have, stop gossiping and being jealous of people, and start liking myself. Life’s too short, and you don’t know what lies around the corner, not just for you but for the people around you. One little gesture really makes a difference to someone. Anyway, I’m rambling. I hope your grandpa starts feeling better soon :0)

Angela. I am so sorry to hear about your Grandpa and his step back. I’m thinking of you and your family. I hope he can pull through with his strength, love and determination. You are so right… so many people take their health for granted. Without our health, we have nothing at all.

Those cookies look delicious! I love the texture and taste of toffee so I’m definitely going to try these. I’m also going to try and make the vegan “egg nog” recipe that you posted last year I believe. Tomorrow as it happens, I’m going to see the Nutcracker ballet, which I find so beautiful and whimsical, however, nutcrackers themselves…DEFINITELY CREEPY (along with Furbies)

Your grandpa seriously warms my soul, Angie! His smile is just so genuine….God bless him for reals. I was really touched by this part: “If you wake up healthy, it’s already a great day.
and my Grandpa would argue, even if you wake up unhealthy it can still be a great day.” :D

*big hug* to you and your family, Angela. I’m so sorry about your grandpa :( you’re right, though. I woke up healthy, so today will be a great day <3 It's so important to remember how precious life is.

Thank you for the wonderful story AND recipe. My grandpa is sick as well and he has the most positive attitude. I think we can all learn from people like your grandfather and mine who always remind us what life is really all about.

The recipe looks fantastic! thank you for the idea! I am newly vegan (2 weeks now!) and I was dreading what to bring over for Christmas dinner!! This gives me a dessert idea, any dinner suggestions? I know my grandparents will be having pork, veggies loaded with butter and rolls. All of which I can’t eat! Help!

This post really touched my heart. January of this past year, my dad was diagnosed with agressive prostate cancer. He had surgery and is now going through hormone treatment AND radiation and we are pretty confident he has beaten cancer. This year has taught me so much. Both my grandparents passed away and my mom had a breast cancer scare, but we stayed strong through it all. Granted there were times we wanted to throw in the towel, but we kept on waking up and making it a point to be aware of something that we were (and still are) grateful for each day. I’ve also learned how to slow down and not rush through life so fast. Learning how to appreciate the now instead of wishing for something better has really made a huge change in how I now live. :) This year for Christmas, we are giving each other one thing each and it all has to do with spending time with one another.

Hi Angela, my grandfather was also diagnosed with cancer, but he is the most positive person I know, and also has a lot of faith, if you don’t mind give me your grandfather name, I will include him in my prayers, I know how important they are for us, and I hope God will help them.

Best wishes to you, your grandpa, and family. It is definitely hard to deal with sickness during the holidays. I hope everyone stays in the best spirits and enjoys the miracles of the holidays! It definitely reminds us to be thankful for the healthy days we have!

Thinking of you and your family! I hope your grandpa stays strong and positive and that you all have a wonderful Christmas. I love what you said about enjoying each day. The cookies look amazing, and I think they would make anyone’s day a bit brighter!

I love your piccies! I read the title and thought of the ballet…..I love the ballet :-)…..and then I carries on reading only to see the Nutcracker pop onto the scene – so cute! Great recipe. Can’t wait to get cooking after last weeks trip to NYC! Nicky and I went to Pain Quotidien every day on your recommendation….best porridge ever!!

These cookies look and sound delicioso! Plus they’re nutcracker-approved. Doesn’t get better than that.
Your grandpa sure sounds like a fighter. My prayers go out to him and the rest of your family. By the way, are you and your sister twins? You’re both so dang beautiful :)

Wow those cookies look amazing. I’m wishing the best for you and your family over the holidays, but I’m sure all your positive attitudes will pull you through. I love how you just put things straight back into perspective. Right now a lot of people are stressing about presents, and holiday meals that we rarely take a step back and be thankful for all we have. Thank you for making me stop and take stock of everything that’s wonderful in my life right now. I have my health, and my family and I couldn’t ask for more. A very merry christmas to you :)

I’m so sorry to hear about your Grandpa, Anglea. Having health problems that you can’t control is so frustrating (I have one myself). And you’re so right, our health is something we often take for granted when we should really be taking more time to be thankful for it.

Man the winter solstice was NOT a good day for health! From the minor things (like my super duper inflamed/baseball sized wrists) to the major (your grandpa, my grandma having a stroke)…something about yesterday was not good.

Your grandfather and family are in my thoughts…sending lots of positive vibes in the general canadian direction. xo

So true…We just found out last week that my Mom has been diagnosed with uterine cancer…It really puts things in perspective. Stressing over eating a cookie or some other indulgence is so unimportant in the grand scheme of things. I think that illness is often our greatest teacher. All the best to your Grandpa xo

As an oncology nurse I try to not let a day go by without be thankful for my health. It definitely gives you a different perspective. I will be thinking and praying for you & your Grandpa! Merry Christmas!

Sadly, my husband likes nutcrackers, so they are currently up on a shelf in our living room. A very high shelf, so I can sort of not see them. Prayers for your grandfather’s recovery, and for calmness and peace for the family.

I love the look of those nutcracker cookies!!! Might give them a try for new years celebrations. I just got finished in the kitchen making my grandma’s famous linzer cookies. This year is the first year that she won’t be with us, but making them made me think of all the fond memories we had together. Wishing you the best christmas and happy new year!!!

I am sorry that your Grandpa is having a tough go at the moment. I read your blog nearly every day and I love the recipes and your view on life. Thanks for the great recipes and perspectives – Happy Holidays!!!

I made these tonight and they were soooo good – I don’t know if they are going to last until tomorrow:) Luckily we are setting them out for Santa, so it will be mandatory that most are gone by morning.

Great recipe! I made the gluten free version with the oat flour and they came out fantastic! I also used only almonds because I can’t find pecans and walnuts in my area not manufactured with wheat listed in the allergies. These still came out perfect! And I have to say, toasting the nuts first really does give it a distinct (and amazing) flavor! Another wonderful recipe, thank you!

What a fabulous way to look at life. A healthy day is a good day… and any day you can spend with friends and family {especially over the holidays} is a GREAT day!
These cookies look excellent and I love all the nuts in there. I think I have had my fill of cookies and treats over the past couple of days but these might need to make a New Years Eve appearance!
<3 your newest follower

Angela Im so sorry to hear about your uncle Ted. You always here about people losing their loved ones to sickness and feel empathy but the truth is you never really no what its like until you experience it first-hand. God bless you and your family.
P.S. I made the nutcracker cookies just now…..they..are..FANTABULOUS (Fantastic and fabulous get it?). I didn’t have almond milk so I subbed for applesauce and used hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, and fresh shredded coconut for the nuts. Can you say best cookies ever? I sure think so.

I am so sorry to hear about ypur grandpa. My mother was also diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in spring of 2011. She just recieved her stem cell transplant….it’s tough right now- but she always has a smile on her face. I will keep your grandpa in my thoughts.
I came to your blog after watching, “Forks Over Knives” and made the change to become vegan…it’s an amzing journey. Thank you for all your inpiration!!! Keep on keeping on.

I just made these today and oh my, they are my new favorite! They are amazing. I am thinking of reducing the sugar to 1/4 cup next time since they are plenty sweet and we try not to eat a lot of sugar. Do you think it’ll mess up the rest of the cookie?

I’m a new reader of your blog. I have been browsing your older posts and found this recipe. I just made these cookies – nevertheless it’s summer at the moment – and they are absolutely piece of heaven! I find it very hard not to eat them all right now. I notice myself walking away from kitchen but soon realize I am back there…just one more and I will stop!

I made these this weekend with the coconut oil substitution, and they are truly amazing. I think they are my new favourite cookie, and it generally takes chocolate to make something my favourite! I am impressed with your recipe creation skills. Thank you for this.

Hey Angela! I cannot wait to try and make these! My only problem is the ground flax. I’m from Southern California but I’m spending a year in Nairobi, Kenya and I have not been able to find flax seeds! For this recipe what could I use as a replacement?

P.S. Your story is so inspiring and I can really relate to it right now!!
God Bless!